Tot aeroplane



M. SJHOPKINS.

TOY AEROPLANE! APPLICATION FILED JAN. 18. 1919.

Patented Oct. 14, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1 M. S. HOPKINS.

TOY AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 18. 1919.

1 ,318f147. Patented Oct. 14,1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- E II . I 4 E a upawltoz 4 M. S. HOPKINS.

TOY AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION EILED JAN. 18. l9l9.

Patented Oct. 14,1919.

3 SHEETS SHEET 3.

parts to this specification.

. patterns or 'pearance of a forward end of an elongated body.

MILTON S. HOPKINS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TOY AEROPLANE. v

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 18, 1919. Serial No. 271,843.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MILTON S. HOPKINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Toy Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to figure toys, and more particularly a toy having the shape of a flying machine of the aeroplane type, the object of the invention being to provide a simple and cheap construction, the toy b eing almost entirely made of paper or sheet metal. V i

The object stated is attained by means of a novel combination and arrangement of be hereinafter described and claimed, and in order that the same may be better understood, reference is had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of to 3 are plan views illustrating blanks out of which the toy is fashioned into bi-plane form;

Fig. 4; is a side elevation of the completed Fig. 5 is a front elevation thereof; the propeller being shown dotted;

Figs. 6 and 7 are cross-sections on the lines 66 and 7-7 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 8 is a bottom view showing the means ofattaching the rudder blade to the body of the toy.

Fig. 9 is aplan viewof a modified pattern or blank for the formation of a triplane toy; and

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the fore art of such toy completed. Re erring specifically to the drawings, the toy of Figs. 1 to 8 has the shape and apbiplane type of flying machine, the supporting planes being at the body is composed of two vertically spaced sheets, and side pieces connecting the same along their longitudinal edges. These parts Figures 1 arefasbioned out of a single sheet of paper.

ness which or thin sheet metal of the requisite thickis cut and bent to produce the structure- The blank or pattern shown in 'Fig. 1. The top 5 of the body and the upperplane 6 are continuous, and-the blank is out on the full lines 5, and folded on the dotted lines 5 and 5 to form the body sides 7 and 7 and'the bottom of the body, the

-outwardly directed ton forward ends,

following manner:

latter being composed of two sections 8 and 8, respectively. One end of the blank also has a portion 6 which is the bottom plane,

Patented oat; ii, 1919. Y

the same being joined to the main body of 4 the blank by narrow strips 9. In that pore tion of the blank which lies between the innerstrips 9 and the planes 6 and 6*, are cut gues 11 and 11. These are equal in width to the length of the strips 9, and are designed to act as spacers for the upper and lower planes, as well as to form the outward end of the body or fuselage. The rear portion of the blank is shaped to form a tall structure 10 which is in the plane of the top5. The body bottom part has a lateral tab 12 at its rear end for a purpose to be presently described.

With the top 5 and the upper pl level, the parts? and 7 of the blank are first folded downward on the dotted lines 5 to form the body sides, and then inward folds are made on the dotted lines 5to bring the parts 8 and 8 beneath the part 5 in overlapping'position to form the bottom of the body, the overlapping parts being pasted together. It will be noted that the bottom parts 8 and 8",

ane 6 these being defined by dotted lines. The corner pieces 13, which project in forward direction after the body of the toy is formed as described, are bent down on the dotted lines, serving a purpose soon to become apparent.

All of the strips 9, as well as the tongues 11 and 11?, are folded down on the dotted lines 9 where they join the part 6, and the lower plane 6 is then folded beneath the upper plane the fold being made on the dotted lines 9". where the strips and the tongues join said part 6*. The bottom parts 8 and 8? and the rear edge of the part 6 now overlap and may be pasted together, except that the corner pieces 13 are disposed of in the Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that two inwardly directed tongues 14, of substantially circular form, are cut at the middle of the part 6 of the blank. The tongues Mare designed to represent the wheels of the machine when struck down on the dotted lines 15 after the lower lane 6 has been adiusted in place. The

have corner pieces 13 at their formation of thewheels leaves openings 14* as the latter is brought and 8 to be 14 will in the plane 6*, and under the folded bottom parts joined to the same, the openings clear the depending corner pieces 13, allowing these to project beneath the lower planes weight of the body thereat will not be born by the tail 10. The tab 12 at the rear end of .the bottom part 8 of the body is designed to serve as a support when bent down on the dotted line 12 of the pattern after the folding of the sides and bottom of the body has been completed.

The tongues 11 and 11 extend throughout the entire height of the body sides 7 and 7, as mentioned above, and they are now bent inward to fit between the front ends thereof, which leaves the strips 9 free to serve as spacers for the forward edges of the planes 6 and 6 and gives the body a. closer resemblance to a real machine, the shaped tongues assuming the curvature and prominence of the modern fuselage.

The pattern of the tongues 11 and 11 is formed near the center with a pair of similar but much smaller tongues 15, which are gathered forward after the fuselage has been formed as described, and their front ends overlapped to take a pin 16. The latter is directed from without and advanced toward that part of the fuselage which lies between the origin of the tongues 15, being stuck thereinto for an additional bearing, Next to its head, the pin carries a paper'propeller 17 of which a pattern is shown in Fig. 3.

Near its junction with the plane 6, the top pattern 5 is cut with two outwardly directed tongues 18, these having the outline of a human head. The tongues 18are designed to be bent upwardly on dotted lines 18 after the toy has been erected, and gathered as shown in Fig. 5. The tongues are slitted, as shown at 18 or perforated, to permit a thread 18 to be anchored to the toy, and thus enable the latter to be swung in a circle. This action lends the toy the appearance of an aeroplane in flight, the. propeller '17 spinning rapidly, and the tongues 18 representing the head of the pilot.

The rear end of the body has a rudder blade 22 mounted thereon, base sections 23 and 23 thereof folding in opposite direction for application to the end of the body.

, As noted in Fig. 1, the rear end of the top pattern 5 has two alined slits 24 and 24 throughwhich the base sections 23 and 23 are passed prior to being folded as mentioned. While the base section 23- appears wider (see Fig. 2) than the length of the slit 24*, it is partially severed from the stock, as shown at 25, to both permit easy insertion into the slit and secure the blade 22 against pleted form of a modified structure, de-.

signed on the order of a tri-plane. The pattern is identical with that of the bi-plane form, except for an extension in a forward direction, and the provision of a second passenger figure 26 and two slits 27, whose purpose will presently become apparent.

The eXtension consists mainly of a series of long spacer strips 28 connecting the lower plane 6 with the third or topmost plane 29; a series of short spacer strips 30, in tended to connect the front edges of the planes 29 and 6; and a connecting bar-31v for the strips-30 at their outer ends.

In the formation of the tri-plane, only the fashioning of the extension will be described, this being assumed as a' continuation of the process whereby thefore part of the bi-plane is formed. Looking at Fig. 10, it will be noted that the series of spacer strips .28 is brought up behind the planes to the height intended for the third plane 29. The latter is then folded in a forward direction to assume'horizontal position; next, the

series of spacer strips 30- is bent down to VEItIQZLl POSltlOD; and finally the bar 31 is bent back and pasted down 011 the front edge of the plane 6. The two innermost spacer strips 28 have inwardly directed tongues 32 which are inserted into the slits 27 of the top section of the body in order to stiffen the rear portion of the plane structure. Reinforcing means are also provided .for the balance of the strips 28 in the form of lateral tabs 33, which are folded inwardly on the dotted lines of the pattern to assist the strips in properly spacing the planes. As the innermost strips 28 must clear the rearwardly extending body portion of the toy while the tri-plane extension is shaped toward completion, the said body portion is merely folded as compactly as possible, and flexed to permit its passage between the said strips in a rearward direction.

The thread or cord from which the toy is suspended may be secured directly to the A iao frontal section formed in continuation of the body sides and extending between the planes to the forward edges thereof, and a propeller-shaft bearing formed by meeting tongues struck from said frontal section..

2. In a toy aeroplane, a body composed of a top, sides and bottom, upper and lower supporting planes connected to the body, spacing strips connecting the planes at their forward edges, a prominently rounded frontal section formed in continuation of the body sides and extending between the .planes to the forward edges thereof and bein' thereat formed with a bearing for a propelfer shaft, and meeting tongues struck from said frontal section and formed at their junction with another bearing for said propeller shaft.

3. In a toy aeroplane, a body composed of a top, sides, bottom and a forward extension, upper and lower supporting planes mounted respectively upon and beneath the extension, and spaced circular tongues struck down from the lower plane to render the appearance of wheels, said tongues being held in spaced relation by down turned forward extensions of the body bottom.

4. In a toy aeroplane, a body having a rearward taper and a prominent forward extension of the sides, upper and lower supporting planes mounted respectively upon and connecting the planes, tongues the lower plane to render the appearance of wheels, tongues projecting from the extension and forming a bearing for a forwardly projecting shaft, and a propeller mountedon the shaft.

5. In a toy aeroplane, a body having a rearward taper and a prominent forward extension of the sides, upper and lower supporting planes mounted respectively upon and beneath the extension, spacing strips connecting theplanes, tongues dropped from the lower plane to render the appearance of wheels, tongues projecting from the extension and forming a bearing for a forwardly projecting shaft, a propeller mounted on the shaft, and figure-formed tongues struck up from the top of the the attachment of a suspension device.

6. In a toy aeroplane, a body having a rearward taper and a prominent forward extension of the sides, upper and lower supporting planes mounted respectively upon and beneath the extension, spacing strips connecting the planes, tongues dropped from the lower plane to render the appearance of wheels, tongues'projecting from the extension and forming a bearing for a forwardly projecting shaft, a propeller mounted on the shaft, a rudder and tail structure at the rear end of the body" and a foot dropped from said end for the support of. the latter and thetail structure free-of the surface on which the toy rests. 's

beneath the extension, spacing strips dropped from direction to overlap and body andPerforated for n 7 A toy aeroplane constructed from a single sheet of foldable material, said sheet comprising a medial section in one plane the top of the body, plane and the tail; a section the top portion designed for folding down from the latter to form the sides of the body; similar sections extending laterally from the side portions, and foldable in an inward direction to overlap and form the bottom of the body; a series ofstrips extending from the forward edge of'the upper plane portion and foldable downward therefrom to form vertical supports for the upper plane; and a section connecting t e outer ends of the strips and foldable inwardly to form the lower plane. v

8. A toy aeroplane constructed from a single sheet of foldable material, said sheet comprising a medial section designed to form in one plane the top of the body, the upper plane and the tail; a section on each side of the top portion designed for folding down from the latter to form the sides of the body; similar sections extending laterally from the side portions, and foldable in an inward direction to overlap and form the bottom of the body; a series of strips extending from the forward edge of the upper plane portion and foldable downward therefrom to form vertical supports for the upper plane; a section connecting the outer ends of the strips and foldable inwardly to form the lower plane; and a section between the inner two strips cut to form opposed tongues, which are adapted to be passed between the planes to meet the sides of the body.

: 9: A toy aeroplane constructed from a single sheet of foldable material, Said sheet comprising ed to form the upper a medial section design in one plane the top of the body, thecupperplane and the tail; a section on each side on each side of designed to form from the latter to form the sides of the body; similar sections extending laterally from the side portions, and foldable in an inward form the bottom of the body; a series of strips extending from the forward'edge of the upper plane portion and foldable downward therefrom to form vertical supports for the upper plane; a section connecting the outer ends of the strips and foldable inwardly to form the lower plane; a section between the inner two strips cut to form opposed tongues,

the planes to meet the sides of the body; and'tongues cut within those mentioned, and similarly formed, being adapted to project in a forward direction and overlap to form a propeller shaft bearing. 10. A toy aeroplane constructed from a ingle sheet of comprising a medial section designed to form in one plane the top of the body, the upper foldable material, said sheet '120 which are adapted to .be passed between" plane and the tail; a section on each side of the top pOItiOn designed for folding down from the latter to form the sides of the body; similar sections extending laterally from the side portions, and foldable in an inward direction to overlap and form the bottom of the body; a series of strips extending from the forward edge of the upper plane portion and foldable downward therefrom to form vertical supports for the upper plane; a section connecting the outer ends of the strips and foldable inwardly to form the lower plane; a section between the inner two strips cut to form opposed tongues, which are adapted to be passed between the planes to meet the sides of the body; tongues out within those mentioned, and similarly formed, being adapted to project in a forward direction and overlap to form a propeller shaft bearing; and circular tongues in the section representing the lower plane cut and foldable downward to represent wheels.

11. A toy aeroplane constructed from a single sheet of foldable material, said sheet comprising a medial section designed to form in one plane the top of the body, the upper plane and the tail; a section on each side of the top portion designed for folding down from the latter to form the sides of the body; similar sections extending laterally from the side portions, and foldable in an inward direction to overlap and form the bottom of the body; a series of strips extending from the forward edge of the upper plane portion and foldable downward therefrom to form vertical supports for the upper plane; a section connecting the outer ends of the strips and foldable inwardly to form the lower plane; a section between the inner two strips cut to form opposed tongues, which are adapted to be passed between the planes to meet the sides of the body; tongues out within those mentioned, and similarly formed, being adapted to project in a forward direction and overlap to form a propeller shaft bearing; circular tongues in the section representing the lower plane cut and foldable downward to represent wheels; and tabs formed by outer corners of the bottom sections and foldable downward into the openings left by the wheel tongues to maintain the latter in spaced relation.

12. A toy aeroplane constructed from a single sheet of foldable material, said sheet comprising a medial section designed to form in one plane the top of thevbody, the upper plane and the tail; a section on each side of the top portion designed for folding down from the latter to form the sides of the body; similar sections extending laterally from the side portions, and foldable in an inward direction to overlap and form the planes to meet the sides of the body tongues cut within those mentioned, and similarly formed, being adapted to project in a forward direction and overlap toform a propeller shaft bearing; circular tongues in the section representing the lower plane cut and foldable downward to represent wheels; tabs formed by outer corners of the bottom sections and foldable downward into the openings left by the wheel tongues to maintain the latter in spaced relation; and a tab between the tail portion and one of the bottom sections adapted to depend from the bottom of the body for a rear support.

13. A toy aeroplane constructed from a single sheet of foldable material, said sheet comprising a medial section designed to form in one plane the top of the body, the upper plane and the tail; a section on each side of the top portion designed for folding down from the latter to form the sides of the body; similar sections eXtending laterally from the side portions, and foldable in an inward direction to overlap and form the bottom of the body; a tab between the tail portion and one of the bottom sections adapted to depend from the bottom of the body for .a rear support; a series of strips extending from the forward edge of the upper plane portion and foldable downward therefrom to form vertical supports for the upper plane; a section connecting the outer ends of the strips and foldable inwardly to form the lower plane; a section between the inner two strips cut to form opposed tongues, which are adapted to be passed between the planes to meet the sides of the body, tongues cut within thos mentioned, and similarly formed, being adapted to project in a forward direction and overlap to form a propeller shaft bearing; circular tongues in the section representing the lower plane cut and foldable downward to represent wheels; tabs formed by outer corners of the bottom sections and foldable downward into the openings left by the wheel tongues to maintain the latter in spaced relation; and figure-formed tongues struck up from the body portion and perforated "for the attachment of suspension means.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

MILTON S. HOPKINS. 

